Lucky stores hit by ID thefts in Bay Area

December 5, 2011 12:00:00 AM PST

SAN FRANCISCO --

Dozens of customers who shop at one of 23 Bay Area Lucky stores are now being urged to close their bank accounts in response to a growing investigation into credit and debit card tampering at the store's self-checkout lanes.

Officials say thieves are stealing customer's information by inserting a reader in the machines that gives them the information needed to access your bank account. The company's chief financial officer says Lucky is now working with local investigators and the Secret Service.

A Lucky's supermarket executive said: "At this time, we strongly recommend that anyone who used our self-checkout terminals in the affected stores during the months of October and November consider closing their bank account and opening a new one."